Every year, a group of young stars is introduced to the world of Fantasy Baseball at its finest. Last season, we saw the likes of Matt Wieters, Gordon Beckham, Chris Coghlan, Andrew Bailey, Tommy Hanson and Rick Porcello.

This year, we have 10 new names that could potentially impact the
way the 2010 campaign plays out. Here, we will take an in-depth look at
each, and we will see exactly if and where you should draft these newly
introduced rookies.

10. Alcides Escobar (SS) (MIL)

What better way to start our countdown than with a guy that made our
list last year, Alcides Escobar? Escobar, who I predicted would be
starting in Milwaukee before season's end, did get his share of at-bats
in 2009, hitting .304 with one HR, 11 RBI and four SB. The young middle
infielder barely qualifies as a rookie this coming season, as he was
just five at-bats away from losing his newbie status.

With this, though, Escobar only puts himself in the position to
attempt to win the NL Rookie of the Year crown. It also helps that
former Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy has been moved to
the Twins this offseason, so Escobar now officially has the starting
job going into the 2010 campaign. Be on the lookout during your
upcoming fantasy draft for this young stud, as Escobar could easily be
grabbed as a late sleeper in any fantasy format.

The youngster brings unparalleled speed to any person's roster, as
stolen bases should very well factor in to his potential greatness on
the field.

To conclude, we are looking at a guy who compares well to Elvis Andrus
of the Rangers last season: solid glove, little power (for now), great
speed and the potential to hit for a decent average. Not too bad
considering the lack of solid shortstops nowadays.

9. Jesus Montero (CA) (NYY)

It must be hard being a Yankee prospect these days. Just when you
think you have the opportunity to be brought up to the big leagues and
make an impact, WHAM!, veteran Jorge Posada has one
of his better years to date. To add onto this, the Yankees have nowhere
to move Posada if you were to be brought up, as they have the big bat Mark Teixeira at first base and newly signed Nick Johnson at DH.

This is what it must be like for young catcher Jesus Montero, who at
this point has done all he can to prove his worth in the minors.

The 20-year-old backstop had a stellar year in 2009, hitting .337
with 17 HR and 70 RBI, and now he is hoping to follow this performance
with another in 2010. The main question for Montero is simple: How long
will it be before he finally reaches the pros? We can look at this in
one sense and say this year. I mean really, how much more does Posada
have left in the tank? Now, I am going on record and saying that Posada
still has a good bit left, as he proved last year. At some point,
though, the Yankees front office will have to evaluate their options.

When it comes to fantasy, I highly (and I mean highly) doubt that
Montero is taken on Draft Day. I'm not saying that anyone should go out
and get him, though. For Montero, just simply keep an eye on his
productivity as the season progresses, as he could very well be in the
bigs sooner rather than later. If he does get the opportunity to play
in the Bronx, take a shot and pick him up as a free agent.

8. Wade Davis (RHP) (TB)

Once again, Tampa Bay is bringing up a solid young gun to help bolster their rotation. Last season, it was southpaw David Price,
and now righty Wade Davis is ready to steal the show. Davis did see
limited time last year with the Rays, going 2-2 (both wins against the
Baltimore Orioles) with a 3.72 ERA and 36 Ks, beginning his pro career
on a positive note.

Like Escobar, Davis did not record enough playing time to actually
lose his rookie status, so he comes into the 2010 campaign with the
opportunity to take home some hardware at season's end.

Davis brings a solid arsenal of pitches to the table, including a 96
mph heater, a plus curve, a straight change and a cut fastball. He also
brings confidence and poise to the mound in Tampa, where he has been
projected as a potential future No. 2 starter. As Rays Director of
Minor League Operations Mitch Lukevics put it, "He's tough as nails."

For your fantasy draft, taking Davis as a late pick (when I say
late, I mean final rounds late) wouldn't be such a bad idea, as you can
never have too many sleepers in your starting rotation. Davis has great
upside, so expect positive things from this rookie come summertime.

7. Justin Smoak (1B) (TEX)

Well, if you're a Rangers fan, then you should be pretty happy after
reading this list. Smoak is the first of two Texas prospects to make
this season's countdown, and it shouldn't be long before we stop
calling him a "prospect" and begin calling him a "pro."

With the first base situation in Texas being inconsistent (Chris Davis
was on and off at times last season, and that .238 average does not
scare anyone), first baseman Justin Smoak could very well see his first
action at some point in 2010. In '09, he hit for a .290 average with 12
HRs and 57 RBI between three teams in the minors. This season, he
should be hoping to get the opportunity to do the same in the majors.

As far as fantasy goes, Smoak should only be drafted in keeper
leagues at this point, as he won't be getting any time in Arlington
come Opening Day. Think of him as you would Montero: a guy who you
don't draft, but instead keep on a waiting list. The second he comes
up, stash him on your bench and see how he produces.

All in all, Smoak should be a solid switch-hitting first baseman for
years to come, and 2010 could very well be both his pro debut and his
coming-out party as he begins his highly anticipated MLB career.

6. Neftali Feliz (RHP) (TEX)

I guess I didn't keep Rangers fans waiting too long. When it comes
to power pitchers, Feliz is right at the top of the list. In his 31
innings with Texas last season, he went 1-0 with a 1.74 ERA and 39 Ks.
Not too shabby for a young gun. Feliz's fastball has been known to hit
anywhere from 94-99 mph on the gun, something that has proved effective
with his complementary curve and changeup.

Impressed? If not, here's what MLB.com had to say about Feliz's
ceiling: "It's scary to think about. He's still projectable and his
secondary stuff is improving. He's got future ace written all over him."

"He's got future ace written all over him" is right. Matched with a potent Texas offense featuring the bats of Vladimir Guerrero, Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, Ian Kinsler, Nelson Cruz, Elvis Andrus and soon enough Justin Smoak, some are predicting that Feliz could go on to win as many as 15 games in 2010.

So what does this mean for his fantasy value? It means more than you
could ever imagine. The kid is going to be a stud, and there is no
doubt that he will be battling it out with another young pitcher later
down on this list for the AL Rookie of the Year award. In your fantasy
draft, grab Feliz with a mid-to-late round pick, as his upside is
matched by few. He should bring plenty of strikeouts and wins to any
lucky fantasy owner.

5. Buster Posey (CA) (SF)

The second catcher to make our list, Posey comes into 2010 as one of
the better-hitting position players as a rookie. Posey, the No. 5
overall pick in the 2008 MLB Players Draft, had a solid minor league
campaign in '09 before being called up by San Francisco, hitting .325
with 18 HRs, 80 RBI and six SBs between two farm clubs.

Now, though, Posey can all but forget the MiLB. He is slated next to young catcher Eli Whiteside on the Giants' roster heading into Spring Training, and many believe Posey will win the starting job come Opening Day.

Posey's gap power should prove effective in a balanced Giants
batting order, as he will be able to provide much-needed RBI from
further down in the lineup. For fantasy, Posey is a nice late round
pickup with tremendous upside. Before long, you could see him starting
on your fantasy roster instead of simply riding the bench.

4. Mike Stanton (OF) (FLA)

The first outfielder to make the list, Mike Stanton seems to be the
final piece in the reconstruction of the Florida Marlins outfield.
First, Cameron Maybin came onto the scene, only to be
sent back down to the minors and then brought up again. Next, Chris
Coghlan made his presence known at the top of the Marlins' lineup,
making himself a candidate for NL Rookie of the Year in 2009. Now,
Stanton hopes to join the group this season.

Stanton, who hit .255 last year with 28 HRs, 92 RBI and three SBs
between two farm clubs, is expected to assume the role of right fielder
in Florida when his number is called. That is where the problem becomes
apparent: Cody Ross is currently there, and his solid numbers mean he doesn't plan to move.

For now, Stanton's fate lies in the hands of Ross, but that doesn't
mean we won't get to see the outfield prospect at some point this
season. His pure power makes him a prototypical middle-of-the-order
bat, maybe helping to push him onto the big league squad.

In your fantasy draft, don't plan to grab Stanton at any point. Just
treat him like a closely watched free agent as the season wears on.

3. Jason Heyward (OF) (ATL)

It's funny how we saw no outfielders for the first six names, but
then all of a sudden they begin coming out of the woodwork. Heyward,
who many (including myself) believe is the best position prospect in
all of baseball, currently has the keys to glory. Now he just has to
find the door.

The opportunity of a lifetime is in front of the 20-year-old Braves
outfielder, who is hoping to make the starting lineup out of Spring
Training. If he does, he would assume the right field spot held for
years by Jeff Francoeur. With Nate McLouth in center, Heyward in right, and newly added Melky Cabrera in left, it would be hard to argue against the Braves having one of the better outfields in the National League.

Heyward's numbers in the minors last season (.323-17-63) prove that
the kid knows how to hit for an average, and his excellent base-running
skills give fantasy owners another reason to want to grab him on Draft
Day. Speaking of the draft, grab this kid when you get the chance. If
you have a mid-to-late round pick, I highly suggest taking a gamble on
this youngster. In the end, we are talking about an All-Star caliber
right fielder who is currently drawing comparisons to the great Willie McCovey.

2. Madison Bumgarner (LHP) (SF)

I'll be the first to admit, the final two guys on this list made it
hard to decide who was better. In all actuality, these two aren't far
apart (so don't get mad at me, Giants fans; Bumgarner is a very, very
close second.). For now, though, we are here to talk about Madison
Bumgarner.

As if the Giants couldn't add another young gun to their arsenal already including Matt Cain and Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum,
they go ahead and add a crafty southpaw to the mix. Bumgarner had a
stellar year in the minors in '09, going a combined 12-2 with a 1.85
ERA and .211 batting average against him in 131.1 innings between high
Class-A and Double-A ball. The Giants then brought him up to the pros,
where he pitched 10 innings, recording 10 Ks and a 1.80 ERA.

The lefty has a solid number of pitches, including a mid-90s
fastball with solid late life, a curve, slider and changeup. In my
opinion, he is the front runner to win the NL Rookie of the Year Award.
To put it simply, the kid is good.

For Draft Day, be sure to give this kid a solid look with one of
your mid-round picks. He is already going into Spring Training slated
as the No. 5 starter, so just knowing that he will be matched up
against other teams' No. 5s is a plus. He is a future ace playing on a
team that already has two of them. The one thing a Giants fan will not
be able to complain about this season is their rotation. It is scary
good at this point.

1. Brian Matusz (LHP) (BAL)

Finally, we come down to our No. 1 spot, and we hit a guy that has
already had success at the major league level. Brian Matusz, who
compares well with Bumgarner, came up with the Baltimore Orioles last
season, going 5-2 with a 4.63 ERA and recording 38 Ks in 44.2 innings.
The O's knew exactly what kind of talent they were dealing with in this
southpaw, so they ended his season early in order to make him eligible
for this season's AL Rookie of the Year Award.

Personally, I believe he is the front runner in the American League.
Matusz brings a mid-90s fastball along with an above average curve and
slider, and the way he mixes up his pitches is outstanding. Add that to
an offense behind him that is growing by the day (including the man he
pitches to, Matt Wieters), and we have a formula for success at the big
league level.

Brian Matusz will be a solid mid-round draft pick in any fantasy
league; I had him on my squad last year as he pitched well down the
stretch in '09. This lefty has future ace written up, down and all
around him, and having him in a rotation with youngsters Chris Tillman and Brad Bergesen makes the Orioles a potential sleeper team in the AL going into the 2010 campaign.